Therapeutic application of a radiolabelled monoclonal antibody in nude mice xenografted with human neuroblastoma: tumoricidal effects and distribution studies.

Monoclonal antibody UJ13A radiolabelled with isotopes of iodine has been shown to selectively localize to human neuroblastoma xenografts. When 131I-UJ13A conjugates were given to nude mice at high doses (100-150 microCi), tumours temporarily disappeared, only to regrow. No selection for neuroblastoma cells that were UJ13A - negative was observed. Distribution studies on mice receiving radiolabelled UJ13A demonstrated the antibody is rapidly lost from the blood of animals. This cannot be accounted for by selective uptake into xenografts or any other mouse organ examined. We concluded there is a rapid equilibration of isotope between intra- and extravascular spaces in the animal. The rapid, biphasic loss of UJ13A from the blood of mice may explain why so little injected antibody can target to the human tumour xenografts.